Stabilizer Bushing Replacement

What is a sway bar bushing?

The stabilizer bar bushings are rubber blocks or bushings that grip the stabilizer bar (also known as a sway bar) and secure it to the vehicle body or frame. There are usually two bushings on each stabilizer bar, held in place by the bushing brackets. The stabilizer bushings, together with the bushing brackets, hold the stabilizer bar securely in place while it is under torsion from the weight of the vehicle.

How does the sway bar bushing work?

The stabilizer bar (sway bar) is designed to combat vehicle roll in a turn. As a car turns, the weight of the vehicle leans, or rolls, to the outside of the turn (as much as thirty degrees), placing more weight on the outside tires, and less weight on the inside tires. This weight differential impairs traction and vehicle steering and handling. The stabilizer bar uses torsion to transfer the outside weight to the inside tires and serves to keep the vehicle as level as possible when turning. The stabilizer bar bushings are the tie between the stabilizer bar and the vehicle body or frame.

What are the symptoms related to a bad sway bar bushing?

Worn stabilizer bar bushings will usually cause a squeaking sound when the vehicle is going over bumps or when the vehicle is turning. Whether the sound is coming from the front or the rear of the vehicle will determine if the front or rear stabilizer bushings are worn.

Can I drive with a sway bar bushing problem?

A vehicle can be driven when the stabilizer bar bushings are worn. A squeaking sound will usually be heard when the bushings are going bad, and the sound will likely get worse as the bushings increase in wear. Severely worn or damaged bushings can cause the stabilizer bar to come into metal-on-metal contact with the bushing brackets and cause further wear or damage to the stabilizer bar or brackets.

How often do sway bar bushings need to be replaced?

There is no set replacement schedule for stabilizer bar bushings, through most vehicles will need to have them changed at some point. A good time to replace the stabilizer bar bushings is when they being to make a squeaking sound when the vehicle is going over bumps or through turns, or when the sway bar links are being replaced.

How are sway bar bushing issues diagnosed?

Worn stabilizer bar bushings are diagnosed by a technician during a test drive where they will listen for the telltale squeaking sound of a worn bushing. Alternately, a technician may attempt to bounce the car in place by rocking it up and down in order to cause the stabilizer bar to twist and duplicate the noise. Finally, the vehicle will be raised in the air on a hoist and the stabilizer bushings and brackets will be visually inspected for signs of wear or damage.

Each Stabilizer Bar commonly uses 2 bushings, they should always be replaced as a set.

How is a sway bar bushing replaced?

Stabilizer bushings are replaced by first lifting and supporting the vehicle off the ground in order to gain access to the bushing brackets and to relieve the torsion on the stabilizer bar from the weight of the vehicle. The stabilizer bushings and brackets are removed and new parts are installed in their place. It is common to replace the stabilizer bar (sway bar) links at the same time.

Where applicable, end links should be inspected and replaced as necessary when Stabilizer Bushings are replaced.

RepairPal Recommendations for sway bar bushing issues

There are usually two bushings on a stabilizer bar. RepairPal recommends replacing the stabilizer bar bushings as a set. The sway bar links should be inspected and replaced (if necessary) at the same time.

Disclaimer

Materials Included Under License from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. License Agreement TMS1008. All information contained in any materials obtained about Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles is based on the latest product information available at the time of publication, is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, and is intended for service providers and other interested parties in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifications and procedures are subject to change without notice. This information is provided expressly for the purpose of use by professional automobile technicians who have special techniques and certifications. Repair or service by non-specialized or uncertified technicians using only this information, or without proper equipment or tools, may cause severe injury to the individual or other individuals and could possibly cause damage to the vehicle. Certain procedures or content elements may make reference to Toyota Warranty policy or practice – these policies or practices are only applicable to Toyota, Lexus, or Scion dealers.

Stabilizer Bushing Replacement

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What is a sway bar bushing?

How does the sway bar bushing work?

What are the symptoms related to a bad sway bar bushing?

Can I drive with a sway bar bushing problem?

How often do sway bar bushings need to be replaced?

How are sway bar bushing issues diagnosed?

Each Stabilizer Bar commonly uses 2 bushings, they should always be replaced as a set.

How is a sway bar bushing replaced?

Where applicable, end links should be inspected and replaced as necessary when Stabilizer Bushings are replaced.

Stabilizer Bushing Replacement

What is a sway bar bushing?

How does the sway bar bushing work?

What are the symptoms related to a bad sway bar bushing?

Can I drive with a sway bar bushing problem?

How often do sway bar bushings need to be replaced?

How are sway bar bushing issues diagnosed?

How is a sway bar bushing replaced?

RepairPal Recommendations for sway bar bushing issues

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